State Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, has asked Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwellfor an opinion on several points of contention in the national health care insurance debate continuing in Washington, D.C.

The Times-PicayuneSen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell

Crowe also has prepared a bill for 2010 legislative session spelling out how he thinks Caldwell should answer.

Crowe wants Caldwell, a Democrat, to opine, among other subjects, on: 1) the constitutionality of Congress compelling individuals to purchase health insurance; 2) whether Congress legally can force states to increase the income eligibility cap to qualify for Medicaid; and 3) whether the federal government could require state Medicaid programs to cover elective abortions (under current federal law, Medicaid does not cover such procedures).

Separately, Crowe's five-page bill, according to the summary prepared by legislative staff, "provides that no law or rule shall compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer or health care provider to participate in any health care system or health insurance."

The "legislative findings" portion of the bill alleges that the proposed federal legislation violates at least three constitutional provisions: the Commerce Clause, the Equal Protection Clause and the Tenth Amendment, commonly called the "states-rights" amendment. Crowe's bill does not say how he believes his legislation would square with the Supremacy Clause, sometimes interpreted as a wide-ranging trump card for federal power.

Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill say they hope to have a final health care bill on President Barack Obama's desk some time in February.

The Legislature convenes March 29 for a three-month session.

Bill Barrow can be reached at bbarrow@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3452.